The All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership has officially excluded former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, former Representative Gbenga Elegbeleye, and several other senatorial candidates from its final submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This decision, detailed in a formal letter from the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, comes following the findings of the Primary Election Appeal Committee.
Alongside the senatorial changes, the party replaced 19 House of Representatives candidates who had previously won primaries in May. These adjustments impact candidates across Kogi, Abia, Benue, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, and Ebonyi states. The party leadership stated that these updates represent their final position on the affected constituencies, adhering to the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC guidelines.
Key senatorial substitutions include Emmanuel Memga Udende replacing Suswam in Benue North East, and Titus Tartenger Zam taking over for Benjamin T. Aber in Benue North West. In Kogi West, Senator Sunday Karimi replaced Aro Samuel Bamidele, while in Abia South, Prince Paul Ikonne took over for Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu. Other notable changes include Shuibu Isa Lau replacing Mohammed Kabir Bello in Taraba North, Adeniyi Adegbonmire replacing Taiwo Fasoranti in Ondo Central, and Olajide Ipinsagba replacing Gbenga Elegbeleye in Ondo North.
The House of Representatives shifts were most extensive in Benue and Ondo states. In Benue, candidates such as Dickson Tarkighir, Sesoo Ikpagher, Terser Ugbor, Sekav Dzua Iyortyom, and Austin Asema Achado were among those instated. Similarly, Ondo saw six replacements, including Donald Ojogo and Festus Ayodele Adefiranye. Additional changes were finalized across Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, Abia, and Ebonyi to complete the party’s updated candidate roster for the upcoming elections.
